Nordic installer Unisport has launched a new synthetic turf system that uses a 100% natural and environmental friendly infill material.

The new infill material is produced by Unisport’ partner Saltex, hence it is called Saltex Biofill.

‘It is completely bio-based, biodegradable and compostable and complies with the international EN and DIN standards for biodegradable materials,’ explains Anjo van der Wende, the Unisport Business and Development Manager for synthetic turf.

The infill has been tested in fields that were installed across Scandinavia in 2015. ‘Based on data and feedback we collected we feel confident to claim that it will last for at least 10 years.’

Saltex Biofill is part of the FIFA approved Saltex Legacy synthetic turf system. According to Van der Wende the infill goes hand in hand with the carpet specifically produced for this system.

‘The infill material hardly compacts as it has a perfectly round shape. Thanks to its perfect shape it also hardly shows any degradation.’ Using perfectly shaped infill usually makes player feel they play on marbles. It also contributes to migration of the infill. According to Van der Wende, users of a Saltex Legacy synthetic turf system will experience neither. ‘The Saltex Legacy system uses our Drop and Polar fibres. The Drop fibre is known for its a-symmetric shape and resilience. The Polar fibre covers the infill. The combination of these fibres will keep the infill where it is supposed to be and prevents it from migrating across the field.’

The fibres also reduce the splash effect. ‘We scored 0.6% Splash in the compulsory FIFA test for splash which indicates that the likelihood of infill splash is very limited on a Saltex Legacy synthetic turf field.’

Unisport has a long-standing history of creating innovative and environmentally friendly solutions. ‘We can now say that we have developed the most environmentally friendly artificial turf system in the market and we can’t wait to share it with the world,’ Van der Wende concludes.